Carowinds’ Festival of Music is now underway, and Bladen County Schools took advantage of the festival to show off their musical talents. On Monday, Bladen County Schools announced Elizabethtown Middle School and East Bladen High School bands performed in the Festival of Music this past weekend, and both bands received superior scores.
According to Carowinds’, the Festival of Music allows middle school and high school students the opportunity to be celebrated and showcase their skills. The event also offers the chance for students to learn from the masters. During each band’s performance, the master judges evaluate and critique each performance. This year’s judges are Dr. Bill Malambri, Michael Golemo, and Dr. Stanley Michalski.
Carowinds published information about each judge outside the performance theater. Dr. Malambri is a native of Fairmont, North Carolina. He earned degrees from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (B.S.), East Carolina University (M.M.), and the University of South Carolina (D.M.A.) where he was a student of Dr. William J. Moody. Currently, he serves as the founder and emeritus Principal Conductor of the Carolinas Wind Orchestra.
Michael Golemo has been the Director of Bands and University Professor of Music at lowa State University since 1999. In addition to conducting the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band, he teaches courses in music education, conducting, and oversees a program of eleven bands. Under his direction, the low State University Wind Ensemble has performed five times for the low Bandmasters Association conventions.
They have had seven performing tours in Europe, with performances in Paris, Brussels, Vienna, Prague, Rome, London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Florence, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, and Stüttgat.
Dr. Stanley Michalski is a distinguished Emeritus Professor of Music and
Conductor of Bands at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Michalski forged a distinguished career spanning fifty-five years as a conductor, educator, performer, clinician-adjudicator, and active member of national and international music associations. Currently, Dr. Michalski is serving as Coordinator of Instrumental Music for the Diocese of Charlotte, NC, and Adjunct Professor of Music at Winthrop University, where he serves as Associate Conductor of the Carolina Wind Orchestra. From Pennsylvania State University, Michalski received his B.S. Degree, cum laude, in Music Education in 1956, was awarded a Master’s in Education in 1958, and earned the Doctor of Education Degree in 1966.
Ms. Brenda Flowers is the Band Director at both Bladen County schools. On Saturday, she said in a social post, “I enjoyed talking with the judges after our performances. They had many compliments for both the Elizabethtown Middle School Band and the East Bladen High School Band. I’m so proud of all of my students!”
Ms. Flowers reviewed the compliments and critiques from the judges with the middle school and high school students on Monday.
In a post about the local bands, the BCS Officials stated, “We are so proud of their accomplishments and hard work!”
The Festival of Music at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, will continue with instrumental and choral performances throughout the spring. Each school receives a participation certificate. Superior and excellent ratings are awarded plaques.
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